Bruriah is excited to launch a year long capstone project for the seniors. The Spark! passion project creates the space for every student to explore an area of interest that sparks her curiosity. Merging various aspects of Bruriah’s academic program and curricula, the Spark! Project answers the question: Why does this matter?

“Culminating in senior year, the senior exit passion project represents a synthesis of skills and perspectives studied throughout the high school journey at Bruriah,” explained Assistant Principal Debbie Bornstein. Students will work with individual faculty mentors and experience the joy of personalized, self directed, creative study. Although this first year will be catered to the seniors, all four years of high school moving forward will scaffold the necessary skills of research, media exploration and essential questions that foster critical thinking.

“It’s really incredible how teachers have encouraged me to pursue my interests for this project, even when they lay outside of the subject they teach. My AP English teacher worked with me on developing the topic of family dynamics in Tanach,” remarked Senior Shana Markowitz. Senior Elisheva Finkelstein is researching the psychology of music for her Spark! project, a topic she feels that Bruriah has ignited a passion within her through her role as choir head of the school production: “It feels great to be able to pursue something that I am passionate about and search for answers to the questions I have at a higher level.” Some students have chosen topics related to careers they plan to pursue after high school, such as Adah Hendler who will be exploring building architecture as it relates to their functionality, while others are opting to delve further into their hobbies, like Daniella Levy who is exploring the science of sourdough. Ultimately, the Spark! project celebrates four years of joyful learning, a core value that is at the center of the Bruriah educational experience.